Some parents strike it lucky when it comes to their school/work schedule. The school day begins at, say, 8.30 am and they need to be at work by 9.30 am, giving them ample time for drop-off before their commute to work. For others, though, it’s not so cut and dried, making some form of before-school care essential.
Before-school childcare is crucial for parents whose working days start earlier than average, those with demanding schedules and those who need to travel for work. That being said, before-school care can take on many different forms, which means a bit of research is likely in order.
Whether you need to consistently be in early or you only have sporadic “in-office” days, here are six before-school care options to consider.
What is before-school care?
There are a number of different options (more on this shortly), but simply put, before-school care is childcare that’s utilised – you guessed it – before school. Depending on which type of before-school childcare you opt for, it could involve either employing someone to get your kids ready at home and take them to school, or a group setting involving games and activities, which may even be at the school itself.
Many children will also need after-school care, which is often offered by the same providers. The umbrella term for before- and after-school care is wraparound care.
The UK government has an overview of wraparound care, including details on funding such as childcare vouchers, on its website. However, only childcare providers that are registered with Ofsted are eligible for help towards costs. Being Ofsted-registered means that they must conform to strict regulations and undergo regular inspections, so this is safest for your child in any case. More details can be found at childcare.co.uk and on Ofsted’s own website. The Coram Family and Childcare charity has information and a search facility to help you choose the best provider for your child.
Options for before-school childcare
Early morning childcare at school isn’t the only choice for before-school care. Here are a number of options for a variety of different needs.
Before-school nanny or childminder
Depending on your schedule, a before-school nanny or childminder may be your best bet – particularly if you need to leave your house earlier than most and other options aren’t available at that hour. And the best part: you can tailor this in-home childcare to your specific needs.
In some cases, the nanny or childminder simply picks up the children from your home before you leave for work, and then takes them to school. Other parents may need a more extensive service, where a nanny arrives at the family home rather earlier. They will then help the kids get ready for the day, which can include getting them dressed, making them breakfast, packing their lunches and schoolbags, and safely transporting them to their respective schools.
Benefits:
- Convenience.
- Personalised care.
- Kids get more sleep.
- More accommodating of busy work schedules/travelling parents.
- Reduces morning tasks/stress for parents.
Full-time nanny
For parents who also have little ones who aren’t yet at school, a full-time nanny can help get the bigger kids out the door in the morning and then tend to younger siblings during the day. As with a before-school nanny or childminder, parents can tailor morning duties to the family’s needs.
Even once the youngest starts school, some families may choose to keep the nanny on so that they can benefit from their help before and after school. This also has the advantage that a trusted person will always be there for emergency care in case a child is off sick, for example.
Benefits:
- Convenience.
- Personalised care.
- Kids get more sleep.
- More accommodating of busy work schedules/travelling parents.
- Reduces morning tasks/stress for parents.
Live-in nanny or au pair
Live-in nannies and au pairs are fully integrated into the family’s before-school care routine – an arrangement that automatically lends itself to helping out with the morning rush. There are a few differences between nannies and au pairs, but either can be a godsend in times of stress.
The fact that they are always present provides parents with significantly more freedom and flexibility, and has the bonus of allowing for overnight care for children whose parents travel for work or have an unpredictable schedule. But do remember that there should always still be a defined schedule for your au pair or nanny’s workload.
Benefits:
- Convenience.
- Personalised care.
- Kids get more sleep.
- More accommodating of busy work schedules/travelling parents.
- Highly adaptable to schedule changes.
- Extremely reliable.
Before-school care programmes managed by schools
Some schools have their own before-school care programmes, which involve supervised play on the school premises – and in many cases something to eat. These can also be called early-bird clubs or breakfast clubs. Play may be structured or non-structured (free play), and outdoor, indoor or both, depending on the school. These programmes typically start around 7.30 am, and often work on a pay-as-you-go and/or drop-in basis.
For instance, at St Peter’s Primary School in Hertfordshire, parents use an app to book and pay for either breakfast club or after-school club up until midnight the day before, if places are still available. Breakfast club runs from 7.30 am until school starts at 8.30 am, and parents have the option to drop their kids off at any time during that hour. Both breakfast club and after-school club cost £5.77 an hour for the first child and £2.89 for each of their siblings. This is relatively cheap, includes a nutritious breakfast and can be particularly helpful for parents who have inconsistent work schedules (such as freelancers or those who only have to be in the office a few times a month).
Benefits:
- Affordable.
- Convenient.
- Low commitment.
- Opportunities for socialisation.
Third-party before-school care programmes at the school
Some childcare programmes offer before-school care on the school premises, but are not managed by the school itself. Having before-school childcare on-site can be helpful for a number of reasons.
It’s a good thing for kids to begin their morning alongside classmates they spend the rest of the day with. Research supports the idea that a consistent routine like this, which includes being in the same place all day, helps to strengthen networks of connection in the brain.
Benefits:
- Consistent.
- Convenient.
- Affordable.
- Opportunities for socialisation.
Daycare centres
Many daycare centres provide wraparound care for kids on their premises, and staff accompany them to and from school.
This is usually for primary school-aged children only. The kids get a nutritious breakfast and engage in activities that promote physical, social and cognitive development.
And just as there are benefits to starting the day at school with their peers, kids also benefit from off-site before-school care. This setting promotes social skills and friendships outside their regular school environment and expands their circle of friends.
Benefits:
- Consistent.
- Convenient.
- Affordable.
- Opportunities for socialisation and a broader social group.
Community programmes
Similar to daycare facilities, community centres such as YMCAs often provide before-school care as well. Depending on their setup and relationship with local schools, they may either be at the school itself or on their own premises.
The YMCA in Nottingham, for example, provides a good breakfast, skills coaching, and mindfulness and yoga. It is not-for-profit and offers various ways to pay. As it is Ofsted-registered – again, always something to look out for – parents can be sure of a high level of care and can also save money by using the tax-free childcare vouchers offered by many employers.
These programmes provide a safe environment before school for the children and convenience for the family. Whether they’re on- or off-site, before-school childcare schemes usually offer the same components, which often include breakfast and activities. They can also help promote children’s fitness, according to a study carried out on similar programmes in Australia.
Benefits:
- Consistent.
- Convenient.
- Affordable.
- Opportunities for socialisation and a broader social group.
The bottom line
When it comes to before-school care, there are a number of options and none are necessarily better than any other. The key is figuring out what works best for your family’s schedule and budget.